Why Are Restaurants Closing in Wichita Falls?

Why Are Restaurants Closing in Wichita Falls?

Several restaurants in Wichita Falls are in the process of closing right now, or have already closed in just the past few weeks.

Several restaurants in Wichita Falls are in the process of closing right now, or have already closed in just the past few weeks.

However, in a market where there seems to be endless food options, how tough is it to stay in the black?

Bill Daniel, owner of Luby's Cafeteria, says there are hundreds of restaurant in Wichita Falls, so it's easy for new ones to be swallowed up by the competition.

Daniel says, "Wichita Falls is a great market for the restaurant business."

He says his restaurant has been in business since 1951 and it has not always been easy.

"You're only as good as your last meal and so every restaurant in town does the same thing; they go to work and follow their recipes, provide good food for the customers and hope they appreciate it," Daniel says.

He estimates there are around 350 restaurants in Wichita Falls.

He says there are many elements for a restaurant to fail in this market like the competition, food costs, and location.

However, Daniel says does not think the economy is one of them.

Daniel says, "Even when the economy is at its very best, the margins in the restaurant business are very small so it doesn't take much of a down turn in the economy to put a restaurant just kind of over the edge."

An edge Daniel says sadly some restaurants may go over in 2014.

Also, Daniel says independent, or mom and pop restaurants, have it harder because they do not have the benefit of having a corporate office to provide additional help when things start going bad.

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